Edible Cinema: London's all encompassing film experience

An all round cinematic experience awaits visitors to the 'Edible Cinema' on London's Portobello Road

A unique concept has arrived to London, meaning that viewers can 'taste' the films they watch, encompassing a full cinematic experience through aroma, texture and taste. Each guest is supplied with a tray of numbered mystery boxes containing a bite-sized tasting menu tailored to specific moments in the film.

Based at the famous Electric Cinema on Portobello Road in London, Edible Cinema is a collaborative effort between Soho House and unusual event specialists Teatime Production. The project came about during a meeting between Soho House Members Events Manager Zoe Fletcher and Teatime's Polly Betton to discuss potential projects. While discussing ideas, Zoe proposed the creation of a cinematic food experience, and a name that stuck: Edible Cinema.

The pair worked with food designer Andrew Stellitano and chef David Bradley to devise the 'first draft' Edible Cinema experience, resulting in canape sized servings or mini cocktails that accompany specific moments within a film, indicated by a screen-side light box, which illuminates the package number that should be opened and enjoyed.

The idea is to evoke specific words and overall feelings. For example, a scene in where characters run through a pine forest would be matched with Pine Smoked Popcorn, giving pine aroma and flavour while also delivering the 'crunch' of feet on the needle laden forest floor. Sometimes "discomfortingly delicious".